Response from European Commission spokes @DanielFerrie to the joint letter from @DUPleader and @moneillsf on food consignments to NI supermarkets under the NI Protocol:
2/ “We can confirm receipt of a letter from the First Minister and Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland on the issue of agri-food goods brought into Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK. We will reply to this letter shortly.
3/ “The Withdrawal Agreement’s Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland prevents the return of a hard border on the island of Ireland. It protects peace, stability and prosperity, North-South cooperation and the integrity of the EU Single Market.
4/ “In order to do so, certain EU rules will continue to apply in Northern Ireland after the end of the transition period. That means that goods entering Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK, and the rest of the world, will need to meet EU rules on food safety.
5/ “These rules are there to protect the health and safety of consumers in the single market, including consumers in Northern Ireland. We are aware, of course, of the concerns raised regarding supermarkets and the import of food products into Northern Ireland.
6/ “We take this issue very seriously – in the same way that we are taking very seriously every single issue regarding Northern Ireland.
7/ “We are currently exploring all options available under EU law. Discussions on this will continue with our UK counterparts in the Joint Committee and the relevant Specialised Committee.”
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